The Russian government is planning budget cuts that will affect the ongoing reform of the armed forces, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports. According to Mikhail Babich, member of the State Duma Defence Committee, the government plans to cut 15 percent of the defence budget. The number has not yet been confirmed, but the budget cut proposition is expected to be presented to the State Duma in a short time. Babich suggests that the cuts will be made in fields like acquisition of new equipment for rear units and long-term fuel depots. He believes that the cuts will not be put on social programs like house building for the personnel, or on state orders of new equipment. The latter was confirmed by Minister of Defence Anatoliy Serdyukov in a meeting with State Duma deputies. Babich believes that a reduction in defence expenses is an unavoidable measure, and says that the United Russia fraction in the State Duma will support the government and vote for the cuts.
